How do you simplify #{2-4[3+(5+1/2)^2]}-7#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-09-18T08:00:11

#-138#

In mixed operation calculations, always count the number of terms first. Each term must simplify to a single number.

Within each term, the order of operations is brackets first , then from strongest to weakest operations,
Powers and roots
Multiply and divide

Add and subtract is done last from left to right

#{2-4[3+(color(red)(5+1/2))^2]}-7" "larr# there are 2 terms

Start with the innermost bracket.

=#{2-4[3+color(red)((11/2)^2)]}-7" "(rarr 5+1/2 = 5 1/2 =11/2)#

=#{2color(red)(-4[3+121/4]}}-7" "larr#distributive law with -4

=#{2-color(red)(12-121}}-7#

=#-131-7#

=#-138#